Rider update for Vallnord-Arcalís

There have been a few crashes in the past events of the FIS Snowboard Cross World Cup tour and with the 2014 Olympic Winter Games around the corner, it is time for a brief update on the injured athletes and other names who are coming back to business this weekend in Andorra – or not.

Markus Schairer: the Austrian 2009 World Champion and 2013 Silver medalist is on the upgrade after his shoulder injury suffered in Lake Louise but still needs his time. He can barely move his arm so brushing his teeth is still an issue. However, the powerhouse is still aiming to compete in Sochi. Therefore, he also aims to fly to the X-Games to get a view training runs in.

Pierre Vaultier: the French rider went down hard in a crash with Alex Pullin in the round of the top-32 at Lake Louise. While it looked harsh with his head flipping straight over the step-down, the father of one injured his need. With a brutal diagnose during the lead-up to the Olympics: torn ACL.

Alex Pullin: The reigning World Champion from Australia isn't fit neither after his crash with Pierre Vaultier but not as badly injured (bruised rip). However, he wanted to sit out the Andorra events and comeback in Veysonnaz - which unfortunately got postponed. Bad luck for the World Cup title holder from down under.

Eva Samkova: The three-time Junior World Champion, 2013 Winter Universiade Gold medalist and two-time World Cup winner is also looking forward to get her snowboard on the racing slope again. After injuring her knee in Canada just before Christmas, the 20-year-old Czech podium contender confirmed that her knee is OK again.

Seth Wescott: As announced in some earlier news, the two-time Olympic Gold medalist will lead off the fight for an Olympic team spot in Andorra coming back from his knee injury suffered last spring in Alaska.

Shaun Palmer: Yes, that's right. Shaun Palmer will be back to business in Andorra, too. US Snowboarding sends this action sport icon back on the race track. After missing the Olympic team by inches in 2010, the 45-year old snowboard, skier, mountain bike and motocross pro is giving it another shot in Vallnord-Arcalís.

Mateusz Ligocki: After missing out the first stops of the 2014 FIS Snowboard Cross World Cup tour, it seems that the Polish all-rounder – according to a first preliminary entry list – will also give it a shot this weekend again.